Scotland Archives - Page 2 Of 26 - More Drams, Less Drama

Four Diageo ‘The Managers’ Choice’ From The Past

24th April 202623rd April 2026Coldorak

We take a nostalgic look in the rear-view mirror as we explore four gems from Diageo’s exclusive Managers’ Choice collection – a limited one-cask-per-distillery series launched in 2009. In our glasses tonight: a Cragganmore, Knockando, Lagavulin and Talisker, all handpicked by their respective distillery managers and bottled that same year at cask strength, offering a rare snapshot of Diageo’s portfolio at the time.

Balblair 12-, 15- and 18-year-old

22nd April 202621st April 2026Coldorak

It’s been already two years since my last Balblair review (I was sure I did one last year, time flies!) and a few weeks since my last review (thanks to moving houses), so let’s have a look at the first three expressions from Balblair’s current core range with the Balblair 12-, 15- and 18-year-old.

Four Bowmore Down To 1969

23rd February 202623rd February 2026Coldorak

Today, we indulge in four Bowmore whiskies: two 15-year-old bottled for Fèis Ìle 2018 and 2019, a 20-year-old celebrating Bowmore’s founder, and a 1969 bottled in the 1980s. I recently got some very good news on a personal matter, and that justified celebrating with the big guns.

Ardbeg Drum, Blaaack and Scorch

9th February 20269th February 2026Coldorak

We continue our series of Ardbeg Fèis Ìle releases with three more Ardbeg: Drum, Blaaack and Scotch. Between Blaaack and Scorch, Ardbeg released Arrrrrrrdbeg!, but we’ll review it another time, since for now we’re focusing on those Fèis Ìle releases, from 2019 to 2021 today.

Four Independent Miltonduff Whiskies

6th February 20265th February 2026Coldorak

Today marks More Drams’ first dedicated Miltonduff session—an introduction to the distillery paired with four compelling independent Miltonduff whiskies. On the tasting table: a Malts of Scotland from 2011, a 13-year-old cask bottled for Van Wees’ 100th anniversary by Gordon & Macphail, a 2009 Whisky Mercenary release, and a 22-year-old Chieftain’s Choice from 1989. This Speyside workhorse deserves far more attention than it typically receives.

Glen Grant 2003 Royal Mile / 1998 Whisky Agency

4th February 20264th February 2026Coldorak

On the tasting table today are two Glen Grants in their twenties: a Glen Grant 2003 from Royal Mile Whiskies and a 1998 from The Whisky Agency. It has been far too long since we last delved into Glen Grant at More Drams, which is a shame; this distillery can produce truly stunning whisky—as long as you look beyond the standard core range.

Linkwood 1979 & Two 30-Year-Old

2nd February 20262nd February 2026Coldorak

It’s been a long time we had a Linkwood on More Drams, so let’s taste three of them, with a Linkwood 1979 from Vintage Malt and two 30-year-old from Signatory Vintage and the SMWS. And since, apart from a short intro a long time ago, we didn’t properly talk about Linkwood distillery’s history, let’s have an in-depth look at the distillery’s history.

Pittyvaich 1979 Duncan Taylor

30th January 202629th January 2026Coldorak

A single whisky this time, for once, at More Drams: a Pittyvaich 1979 bottled by Duncan Taylor in 2007. I wanted a final celebratory dram for my birthday – one that felt both personal and symbolic. Choosing a whisky from a closed distillery I’d never tasted before, and from my own birth year, seemed like the perfect way to mark the occasion.

Caol Ila From 10 – To 40-Year-Old

28th January 202627th January 2026Coldorak

We move on to four more Caol Ila, ranging from 10 to 40 years old – partly because there’s no good reason not to, and partly because Caol Ila is hard to resist. After last week’s birthday, marked with two 47‑year‑old single grains that I reviewed on Monday, it feels only natural to keep the celebration going with a line‑up of both youthful and venerable Caol Ila.

Two 47-year-old Invergordon & Girvan

26th January 202625th January 2026Coldorak

On the table today: a Girvan 1964 from Scott’s Selection and an Invergordon 1975 bottled in 2022 by Alambic Classique. I indulge in two 47‑year‑old single grains to mark a personal milestone. After another year quietly added itself to the tally – reaching a number that still feels implausibly large – what better way to acknowledge the passage of time than with a pair of whiskies that share the same depth and maturity (I’ll concede, in my case, nothing’s won yet)?